Introduction

This storyboard shows plots based on open data about education that bear on Scotland’s cyber resilience from secondary school onwards. There are three types of education included:

In addition, we include a plot of research income in computing. A strong research community is required to compete for future PhD students.

The data sources behind this report change once a year. This version uses the data that was available at 1 May 2023.

Cyber Security Fundamentals at SCQF Level 4 - Attainment


Cyber Security Fundamentals at SCQF Level 4 - Attainment

Data source: Scottish Qualifications Authority

The data gives the number of Awards in Cyber Security Fundamentals attained at SCQF Level 4.

Attainment is counted against a year if the award was achieved before August of that year. That is, for 2022, the award was made between 1 Aug 2021 and 31 July 2022.

NPAs in Cyber Security - Attainment


NPAs in Cyber Security - Attainment

Data source: Scottish Qualifications Authority

The data gives the number of National Progression Awards in Cyber Security attained at SCQF Levels 4-6.

Attainment is counted against a year if the award was achieved before August of that year. That is, for 2022, the award was made between 1 Aug 2021 and 31 July 2022.

Highers and Advanced Highers in Computing Science - Entries and Attainment


Highers and Advanced Highers in Computing Science - Entries and Attainment

Data source: Scottish Qualifications Authority

The data gives the number of Highers and Advanced Highers attained in the years 2018-2022.

Attainment is counted against a year if the award was achieved before August of that year. That is, for 2022, the award was made between 1 Aug 2021 and 31 July 2022.

Number of Secondary School Teachers for Computing Studies as main subject


Number of Secondary School Teachers for Computing Studies as main subject

Data source: Scottish Government

From this data source, we use:

  • Table 3.9a: Secondary school teachers by main subject taught 2008-2022

Note that this data gives the number of teachers with Computing Studies as their main subject, not all teachers of Computing Studies.

Computing Students entering Scottish higher education by level, 2015/16 to 2020/21


Computing Students entering Scottish higher education by level, 2015/16 to 2020/21

Data source: Scottish Funding Council

The data gives the number of students newly enrolling for a higher education qualification in a computing discipline at Scottish universities and further education colleges. From 2019-20, the subject code used is “Computing”; before this time, it is “Computer Science”.

Total Computing students in Scottish higher education by level, 2015/16 to 2020/21


Total Computing students in Scottish higher education by level, 2015/16 to 2020/21

Data source: Scottish Funding Council

The data gives the total number of students studying for a higher education qualification in a computing discipline at Scottish universities and further education colleges over all years - unlike other statistics based on entrants or qualifiers. From 2019-20, the subject code used is “Computing”; before this time, it is “Computer Science”.

Percentage of female computing students in Scottish higher education by level, 2015/16 to 2020/21


Data source: Scottish Funding Council

The data gives the total number of students studying for a higher education qualification in a computing discipline at Scottish universities and further education colleges over all years - unlike other statistics based on entrants or qualifiers. From 2019-20, the subject code used is “Computing”; before this time, it is “Computer Science”.

Total Computing students by type of higher education institution, 2015/16 to 2020/21


Total Computing students by type of higher education institution, 2015/16 to 2020/21

Data source: Scottish Funding Council

The data gives the total number of students studying for a higher education qualification in a computing discipline at Scottish universities and further education colleges over all years - unlike other statistics based on entrants or qualifiers. From 2019-20, the subject code used is “Computing”; before this time, it is “Computer Science”.

Students completing Scottish Computing higher education qualifications, 2009/10 to 2020/21


Students completing Scottish Computing higher education qualifications, 2009/10 to 2020/21

Data source: Scottish Funding Council

The data gives the number of students gaining sub-degree, first degree, or postgraduate qualifications in Computing at Scottish universities and further education colleges. From 2019-20, the subject code used is “Computing”; before this time, it is “Information technology”.

Cyber Security undergraduate courses at Scottish universities

59% of all UK courses declared for academic year 2023/24 lack HECOS codes. Where a course has a HECoS code but not one from our list of cyber security, it could be miscoded.

HEI Course Aim Mode Foundation Sandwich Year Abroad Coded as Cyber? Code URL
Abertay University Cybersecurity BSc full-time not available not available optional yes 100376 https://www.abertay.ac.uk/course-search/undergraduate/cybersecurity/
Abertay University Ethical Hacking BSc full-time not available not available optional no https://www.abertay.ac.uk/course-search/undergraduate/ethical-hacking/
Edinburgh Napier University Computer Systems & Networks BEng (Hons) full-time not available optional optional yes 100365 http://www.napier.ac.uk/courses/beng-hons-computer-systems-and-networks-undergraduate-fulltime
Edinburgh Napier University Computer Systems & Networks BEng (Hons) part-time not available optional optional yes 100365 http://www.napier.ac.uk/courses/beng-hons-computer-systems-and-networks-undergraduate-fulltime
Edinburgh Napier University Cybersecurity & Forensics BEng (Hons) full-time not available optional optional yes 100376 https://www.napier.ac.uk/courses/beng-hons-cybersecurity-and-forensics-undergraduate-fulltime
Glasgow Caledonian University Cyber Security and Networks BSc (Hons) full-time not available optional not available no http://www.gcu.ac.uk/kis/11CYBSNT
Glasgow Caledonian University Digital Security and Forensics BSc (Hons) full-time not available optional not available no http://www.gcu.ac.uk/kis/11DSFORS
Heriot-Watt University Computer Science (Cyber Security) BSc (Hons) full-time not available not available not available no https://www.hw.ac.uk/uk/study/undergraduate/computer-science-cyber-security.htm
Robert Gordon University Cyber Security BSc (Hons) full-time not available optional optional no http://www4.rgu.ac.uk/coursedb/disp_course_info.cfm?courseid=19765
The Open University Cyber Security BSc (Hons) part-time not available not available not available no http://www.open.ac.uk/courses/R60-learning-outcomes#teaching-learning-and-assessment-methods
The Open University Network Engineering DipHE part-time not available not available not available no 100367 http://www.open.ac.uk/courses/W19-learning-outcomes#teaching-learning-and-assessment-methods
University of the West of Scotland Computer Networking BSc (Hons) full-time not available optional not available no https://www.uws.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/undergraduate-course-search/computer-networking/
University of the West of Scotland Computer Networking BSc (Hons) part-time not available optional not available no https://www.uws.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/undergraduate-course-search/computer-networking/
University of the West of Scotland Cyber Security BEng (Hons) full-time not available optional optional no https://www.uws.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/undergraduate-course-search/cyber-security/
University of the West of Scotland Cyber Security MEng (Hons) full-time not available optional optional yes 100376 https://www.uws.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/undergraduate-course-search/cyber-security/
University of the West of Scotland Cyber Security BEng (Hons) part-time not available optional optional no https://www.uws.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/undergraduate-course-search/cyber-security/
University of the West of Scotland Cyber Security MEng (Hons) part-time not available optional optional yes 100376 https://www.uws.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/undergraduate-course-search/cyber-security/

Cyber Security undergraduate courses at Scottish universities

Data source: Higher Education Statistics Authority, Unistats record 2022/23

This source lists undergraduate university courses that universities have declared will be run in 2023/24. Because this information is prospective, it is subject to change. The source uses the new HECoS subject codes but most courses still do not complete this part of the return.

We consider the following codes to represent the bulk of cyber security education:

HECoS Code HECoS Label
100365 computer networks
100376 computer and information security
100385 computer forensics

Although it would be possible to teach computer networks without substantive cyber security content, this is unlikely. In practice, many employers are happy to hire students with good networking backgrounds for specialist cyber security job roles.

We identify cyber courses by looking for any with these codes or with titles that match any of the following patterns as words or parts of words:

  • cyber,security,hacking,forensics,resilience,network

Titles are provided in the data as supplied by the university without further validation; any spelling mistakes will mean the course is not picked up in the search. The search can potentially return irrelevant results - for instance, food security courses and forensics courses that are completely about chemistry.

Students enrolling at Scottish universities to study computing, 2019/20 to 2021/22


Students enrolling at Scottish universities to study computing - by subject, 2021/22


Students enrolling at Scottish universities to study computing - by subject, 2021/22

Data source: Higher Education Statistics Authority

Note that this data source does not use the new HECoS codes that allow cyber security students to be identified. Cyber security students codes fall into the following subjects:

HECoS Code HECoS Label CAH3 Code CAH3 label
100365 computer networks 11-01-01 computer science
100376 computer and information security 11-01-04 software engineering
100385 computer forensics 11-01-08 others in computing

Students enrolling at Scottish universities to study computing - by institution, 2021/22


Scots qualifying in cyber security at UK universities, 2019/20 to 2021/22


Scots qualifying in cyber security at UK universities, 2019/20 to 2021/22

Data source: Higher Education Statistics Authority

Table 54 shows students completing qualifications at UK higher education institutions by domicile, or country of home address. The table provides the number of full-person equivalent students at UK higher education institutions by subject of study. If a student’s course is split across subjects, only a proportion of that student will count towards the numbers.

HECoS contains the following codes that we consider to be core cyber security subjects. Although it would be possible to teach computer networks without substantive cyber security content, this is unlikely. In practice, many employers are happy to hire students with good networking backgrounds for specialist cyber security job roles.

HECoS Code HECoS Label
100365 computer networks
100376 computer and information security
100385 computer forensics

We assume these numbers are artificially low, as not all courses currently have HECoS codes.

Scots qualifying in computing at UK universities by level, 2019/20 to 2021/22


Scots qualifying in computing at UK universities by subject, 2019/20 to 2021/22

Data source: Higher Education Statistics Authority

Table 54 shows students completing qualifications at UK higher education institutions by domicile, or country of home address. The table provides the number of full-person equivalent students at UK higher education institutions by subject of study. If a student’s course is split across subjects, only a proportion of that student will count towards the numbers.

The HECoS coding system does not specifically identify the set of computing disciplines. We use the mapping between HECoS codes and the CAH system to construct the set. In the CAH system, computing disciplines are all CAH area 11.

Scots qualifying in computing at UK universities by subject, 2021/22


Scots qualifying in computing at UK universities by subject, 2021/22

Data source: Higher Education Statistics Authority

Table 54 shows students completing qualifications at UK higher education institutions by domicile, or country of home address. The table provides the number of full-person equivalent students at UK higher education institutions by subject of study. If a student’s course is split across subjects, only a proportion of that student will count towards the numbers.

The HECoS coding system does not specifically identify the set of computing disciplines. We use the mapping between HECoS codes and the CAH system to construct the set. In the CAH system, computing disciplines are all CAH area 11. Cyber security subjects are starred and listed first.

Cyber security research postgraduates are probably currently coded as “100366 Computer science”. The reason for this is not clear.

Graduate Apprenticeships in Cyber Security at SCQF levels 10 and 11 - Enrolments, 2022


Graduate Apprenticeships in Cyber Security at SCQF levels 10 and 11 - Enrolments, 2022

Data source: Skills Development Scotland

The data describes “uptake” of the Graduate Apprenticeships in Cyber Security at Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework levels 10 and 11. Although the data set does not specify, the accompanying reporting suggests that the numbers reported are for enrolments, i.e., those starting the programmes.

Full-Time Equivalent Higher Education Staff in Computing Disciplines, 2014/15 to 2021/22


Full-Time Equivalent Higher Education Staff in Computing Disciplines, 2014/15 to 2021/22

The number of full-time equivalent Scottish computing academics grew by 25% from 2014/15 to 2021/22. This is compared to 15% for Scottish academics of all disciplines and 32% for UK computing academics.

Data source: Higher Education Statistics Authority

In the data, academic staff are categorised by cost centres that represent a cluster of academic disciplines. This analysis uses the cost centre “121 IT, systems sciences & computer software engineering”. It is not possible to get finer disciplines for staff from the open data.

The HESA records cover those with contracts of employment or where the higher education provider is required to pay Class 1 National Insurance contributions. Atypical staff have working arrangements that are not permanent or where there is a complex employment relationship. It is possible for institutions to do teaching using personnel who are not included, for instance, if they are out-sourced or self-employed.

Full-time Equivalent Higher Education staff in Computing Disciplines by institution, 2014/15 to 2021/22


Full-time Equivalent Higher Education staff in Computing Disciplines by institution, 2014/15 to 2021/22

Data source: Higher Education Statistics Authority

In the data, academic staff are categorised by cost centres that represent a cluster of academic disciplines. This analysis uses the cost centre “121 IT, systems sciences & computer software engineering”. It is not possible to get finer disciplines for staff from the open data.

The HESA records cover those with contracts of employment or where the higher education provider is required to pay Class 1 National Insurance contributions. Atypical staff have working arrangements that are not permanent or where there is a complex employment relationship. It is possible for institutions to do teaching using personnel who are not included, for instance, if they are out-sourced or self-employed. We omit institutions that report zero staff with employment contracts.

Higher Education Staff in Computing Disciplines by Full-time/Part-time, 2014/15 to 2021/22


Higher Education Staff in Computing Disciplines by Full-time/Part-time, 2014/15 to 2021/22

49% of Scottish computer science academics work part-time. This compares to 36% for Scottish academics of all disciplines and 32% for UK computing academics. The average part-time academic contributes 21% of an FTE.

Data source: Higher Education Statistics Authority

In the data, academic staff are categorised by cost centres that represent a cluster of academic disciplines. This analysis uses the cost centre “121 IT, systems sciences & computer software engineering”. It is not possible to get finer disciplines for staff from the open data.

The HESA records cover those with contracts of employment or where the higher education provider is required to pay Class 1 National Insurance contributions. Atypical staff have working arrangements that are not permanent or where there is a complex employment relationship. It is possible for institutions to do teaching using personnel who are not included, for instance, if they are out-sourced or self-employed.

Higher Education Staff in Computing Disciplines by Nationality, 2014/15 to 2021/22


Higher Education Staff in Computing Disciplines by Nationality, 2014/15 to 2021/22

43% of Scottish computer science academics are from the UK. This compares to 62% for Scottish academics of all disciplines and 106% for UK computing academics.

Data source: Higher Education Statistics Authority

In the data, academic staff are categorised by cost centres that represent a cluster of academic disciplines. This analysis uses the cost centre “121 IT, systems sciences & computer software engineering”. It is not possible to get finer disciplines for staff from the open data.

The HESA records cover those with contracts of employment or where the higher education provider is required to pay Class 1 National Insurance contributions. Atypical staff have working arrangements that are not permanent or where there is a complex employment relationship. It is possible for institutions to do teaching using personnel who are not included, for instance, if they are out-sourced or self-employed.

Total Scottish HEI Research Income in Computing Disciplines, 2015/16 - 2020/21


Total Scottish HEI Research Income in Computing Disciplines, 2015/16 - 2020/21

Data source: Higher Education Statistics Authority

The cost centre for computing disciplines is “121 IT, systems sciences and computer software engineering”.